harmonic etymology

Etymology

The word "harmonic" comes from the Greek word ἁρμονία (harmonia), meaning "joint, union, agreement, concord, harmony". The word is derived from the verb ἁρμόζειν (harmozein), meaning "to fit together, to join, to unite".

Meaning

Harmonic refers to something that is in harmony with something else, characterized by a pleasing or agreeable combination of sounds, especially in music. It can also refer to a relationship or proportion that is balanced, symmetrical, or pleasing.

Origin

The concept of harmony has been around for centuries and has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy. The Greek philosopher Pythagoras (6th century BCE) believed that the universe was governed by mathematical harmony and that music could express this harmony. He studied the mathematical ratios between the pitches of musical notes and discovered that certain intervals, such as the octave and the fifth, produced pleasing sounds.

In music, harmony refers to the simultaneous combination of different notes that create a pleasing sound. The principles of harmony were further developed by Renaissance composers such as Josquin des Prez and Giovanni Palestrina, who used counterpoint to create complex and beautiful harmonic textures.

Today, harmony is an essential aspect of music theory and composition, and it is used in all genres of music, from classical to pop to jazz.

harmonic relate terms

• harmony

  Etymology Ancient Greek ἁρμονία harmonia from the verb ἁρμόζω harmo

• enharmonic

  Etymology The word enharmonic is derived from two Greek words en ἐν meaning

• harmonic

  Etymology The word harmonic comes from the Greek word ἁρμονία harmonia meani

• philharmonic

  Etymology The word philharmonic is derived from two Greek words Philos Love or aff

• sympathetic

  Etymology The word sympathetic comes from the Greek word συμπαθής sympathēs

• consonant

  Etymology The word consonant derives from the Latin word consonans which means sou

• symmetry

  Etymology From the Ancient Greek word symmetria συμμετρία which means pr

• melody

  Etymology Greek μελῳδία melōdía Late Latin melodia Meaning A musical

• number

  Etymology Comes from the Old French word nombere which derives from the Latin numer

• timber

  Etymology and Origin The word timber comes from the Old English word timber which i

• timbre

  Etymology French timbre Latin timbrus tympanum Greek τύμπανον tympanon

• quality

  Etymology The word quality derives from the Latin word qualitas which means nature